Friday, January 13, 2006

Films that most people don't rate

Just been tagged by Norm for 'two films I think are good and most people don't'. That's tougher than it first appears. But, I'll give it a go.

First choice is Hudsucker Proxy. Many fans of the Coen's hate this movie. It's never given as much regard as The Big Lebowski, Fargo or Barton Fink. Roger Ebert possibly explains why, in his angel and devil review. I don't think his devil is justified. Sure, the style is wonderful, but it doesn't overshadow the substance. It's an enjoyable romp of a movie with a wonderful performance from Jennifer Jason Leigh. As Ebert's angel says

Tim Robbins stars, as a mailroom clerk who finds himself thrust into the presidency of the giant Hudsucker Corporation. Paul Newman is the gray eminence behind the scenes, who engineers Robbins' ascendancy because he believes the kid is hopelessly incompetent, and will drive the stock price down - just what Newman desires. And Jennifer Jason Leigh has been studying Rosalind Russell in "His Girl Friday," and has the part down perfect: The hard-bitten, fast-talking girl reporter who sits on your desk, lights a cigarette, and lays down the law.

Okay, he then goes off asking is there again to care about in the movie? I empathise with "Pulitzer Prize" winning Amy Archer. Her editorial meetings are filled with such zinging dialogue it stings. It raises the question, like Alasdair Gray's Kelvin Walker, what is it a successful CEO actually needs to know? It's a screwball comedy with zing. Great characterisations. Highly recommended, by me.

My other choice is Repo Man by Alex Cox. People I've played this film to tend to go "that's the most bonkers thing I've ever seen". I take that as a compliment. It's got L.A suburban punks. Aliens. Men in black. Repo men. Repo women. Cars. A great soundtrack. A very quotable script.

"[A]n ordinary person spends his life avoiding tense situations. A repoman spends his life getting into tense situations." - Bud

"Let's go get sushi and not pay." Otto's friends

I DO want your money, because God wants your money! - Reverend Larry (who is the spit of Pat Robertson)